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Parmesan Chicken Bake Easy Crispy Cheesy Dinner
Emily

Parmesan Chicken Bake: Crispy, Cheesy Comfort Food

Crispy golden chicken cutlets baked with marinara, gooey mozzarella, and fresh basil. A comforting twist on classic chicken Parmesan that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil

Equipment

  • meat mallet or rolling pin
  • plastic wrap
  • shallow bowls (for breading)
  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin to ¼-inch thickness for even cooking and juicy results.
  2. Prepare three shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, Bowl 2 with whisked eggs and milk, and Bowl 3 with panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan.
  3. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast in flour, dip in egg mixture, then press into panko-Parmesan mixture until fully coated.
  4. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Cook chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a baking dish.
  5. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast. Sprinkle mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.
  6. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  7. Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.

Notes

For extra crunch, toast the panko breadcrumbs lightly in a skillet before breading the chicken. Pair with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven.